Summer is creeping up on us and with that, thousands of Brits will be packing their cars to the rafters, strapping in the kids and heading off to foreign climes where the weather is that little bit more reliable.
But whether it’s a two-week adventure camping break or a multi-mile road trip, some careful planning beforehand can save you a lot of time, money and trouble.
That’s because despite being an experienced driver and having held a UK licence for a number of years, many rules across the water are different and that catches out British drivers year after year.
So, it’s definitely worth reading up before setting off as forewarned is forearmed, as they say.
We have compiled a few of the European rules that holiday-makers should be aware of before heading off for the ferry or Channel Tunnel.
Firstly, some very basic tips. In Europe, you must carry a driving licence with your photo on it at all times, along with your passport, insurance details and the vehicle’s logbook (V5C).
Since Brexit, it is compulsory to display a UK sticker (the old GB ones are no longer valid). However, it is not necessary if the registration plate carries the UK flag and UK badging. You must have a warning triangle, high-visibility jackets for all occupants, headlight beam adjusters on older cars so as not to dazzle oncoming drivers and first aid kits in certain countries.
If you wear glasses and are heading to Spain, France or Switzerland you must have a spare pair in the car at all times.
Feeling peckish? Well, snacking behind the wheel will get you into serious trouble in Cyprus and that includes drinking water from a bottle too.
In other areas, such as Belgium, Sweden and Denmark, it is the law that you carry a fire extinguisher in the vehicle and breakdown kits are legally required in others.
Try to keep your car clean too as having a number plate covered in grime and even dirty windows could lead to an on-the-spot fine in places like Bulgaria and Belarus.
There are various rules about carrying children too. In certain countries, the height and age of children in a weight-appropriate seat differs from others. In Spain, no one under the age of 12 or less than five feet tall can travel up front. So, once again, check before you head off.
As for speed limits, these vary considerably between countries, so it’s essential you check before setting off. Another factor to take into consideration is the static cameras, they are not all bright yellow like in the UK. What looks to you and me like a rubbish bin will be carefully monitoring your speed. And if you think you are being clever with a radar jammer, be warned, they are illegal across much of Europe and, if detected, will lead to a substantial penalty. In many modern cars, there is a facility to switch the instrumentation between mph and kph which is advisable for European driving.
The same goes for low-emission zones. If you plan on driving through major cities in Europe, check what the legal requirements are before you set off. Some vehicles with higher CO2 emissions may be banned completely.
Parking regulations alter between European countries too. In some areas, you can park on either side of a road, while in Italy you must park in the direction of the traffic. In certain areas of Spain, the rule changes by the day with parking allowed on one side one day, but not the next.
And if you think you are safe to have an alcoholic drink with your lunch and then get behind the wheel, maybe check the rules of the country as many European laws differ from those in England. In fact, some Eastern European countries have a blanket ban on any alcohol in the system.
The strangest regulation we discovered (although it could well be a myth) comes from Denmark though, where drivers must check beneath their car for children or animals before setting off.
Millions of UK drivers head to Europe with their cars every year, but many return with weighty fines simply because they were not clued up on the varying country regulations.
With that in mind, a little pre-planning and research will help prevent unexpected rules and regulations from putting the dampers on your holiday.